Shaft securing mechanism for a tool

Abstract

A securing mechanism is provided for a tool that allows for the attachment and release of the shafts of a variety of implements from the tool. The mechanism has a construction that provides an easily releasable, but secure engagement of the implement shaft within the mechanism while also having an alignment feature which engages the implement at multiple locations when engaged with the mechanism to maintain the alignment and concentricity of the implement shaft with regard to the mechanism and the tool when in use.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A securing mechanism for attaching the shaft of an implement to a tool, the mechanism comprising:
 a) a socket adapted to be secured to the tool, the socket including at least two grooves disposed on an interior surface of the socket and engageable with the shaft to maintain the alignment of the shaft with the mechanism; 
 b) a locking sleeve including a central passage aligned with the socket and having a first taper and a second taper therein; 
 c) a release collar aligned and inserted within the passage of the locking sleeve, the collar including a first bearing selectively engageable with the first taper and adapted to engage the shaft; 
 d) a second bearing disposed within at least one opening in the socket positioned between the at least two grooves, the second bearing selectively engageable with the second taper and adapted to engage the shaft; 
 e) a first biasing member disposed within the passage between the socket and the collar to bias the collar and the first bearing into engagement with the first taper; 
 f) a positioning ring disposed around the socket within the passage of the locking sleeve and engaged between a second biasing member and the second bearing, the positioning ring engageable with the second bearing to bias the second bearing into engagement with the second taper; and 
 g) a bushing disposed within the passage of the locking sleeve and engaged between the first biasing member and the release collar, the bushing engageable with the second bearing such that the first and second bearings can be released with a single action. 
 
     
     
       2. The securing mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the bushing and release collar are one component. 
     
     
       3. The securing mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are adapted to engage separate surfaces on the shaft. 
     
     
       4. The securing mechanism of  claim 3  wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are adapted to engage surfaces having different cross-sections on the shaft. 
     
     
       5. The securing mechanism of  claim 3  wherein the second bearing is adapted to engage a flat surface of the shaft in an off-center position. 
     
     
       6. The securing mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are adapted to engage different diameter surfaces of the shaft. 
     
     
       7. A tool comprising:
 a) a handle; and 
 b) the mechanism of  claim 1  disposed in the handle. 
 
     
     
       8. A method for attaching a shaft of an implement to a tool using the mechanism of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       9. A tool comprising:
 a) a handle including a cavity formed therein; and 
 b) a securing mechanism disposed within the cavity, the securing mechanism comprising:
 i) a socket adapted to be secured to the tool, the socket including at least two grooves disposed on an interior surface of the socket and engageable with a shaft to maintain the alignment of the shaft with the mechanism; 
 ii) a locking sleeve including a central passage aligned with the socket and having a first taper and a second taper therein; 
 iii) a release collar aligned and inserted within the passage of the locking sleeve opposite the socket, the collar including a first bearing selectively engageable with the first taper and adapted to engage the shaft; 
 iii) a second bearing disposed within at least one opening in the socket positioned between the at least two grooves, the second bearing selectively engageable with the second taper and adapted to engage the shaft; 
 iv) a first biasing member disposed within the passage between the socket and the collar to bias the first bearing into engagement with the first taper; 
 v) a second biasing member disposed within the passage to bias the second bearing into engagement with the second taper; and 
 vi) a bushing disposed within the passage of the locking sleeve and engaged between the first biasing member and the release collar and extending around the first biasing member, the bushing engageable with the second bearing such that the first and second bearings can be released with a single action; and 
 
 vii) a positioning ring disposed within the passage of the locking sleeve and engaged between the second biasing member and the second bearing. 
 
     
     
       10. The tool of  claim 9  wherein the second bearing is adapted to engage a shaft in an off-center position. 
     
     
       11. The tool of  claim 9  further comprising a shaft engageable with the securing mechanism, the shaft including a first portion adjacent and end of the shaft, the first portion having a first cross-sectional shape and a number of first flat surfaces thereon. 
     
     
       12. The tool of  claim 11  further comprising a second portion on the shaft adjacent the first portion and having a second cross-sectional shape and a number of second flat surfaces thereon. 
     
     
       13. The tool of  claim 12  wherein the first cross-sectional shape is different than the second cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       14. The tool of  claim 13  wherein first cross-sectional shape has a different diameter than the second cross-sectional shape.